The National Science and Technology Commission launched operations on Monday as a permanent administrative committee under direct presidential control.

The commission, which previously was a non-permanent advisory body, was reorganized as a presidential committee from Monday and its secretariat will comprise of some 140 employees compared to a previous staff of some 40 people.

The commission will devise basic policies and strategies concerning science and technology. The commission will raise investment efficiency by overseeing the various ministries' research and development projects, including planning, budget distribution, evaluation and application of results.

The commission’s head, Kim Do-yeon, said during his inaugural address that in order for South Korea to emerge as a leading country in the 21st century, the most important factors are science and technology, stressing that openness and cooperation among players of science and technology are crucial.